RESERVE-LAZARETT COSEL for Prisoners of War.

Date of visit: November 30, 1942.

        Since our last visit in August there is no change in the general outlines of this lazaret where prisoners of different nationalities are treated, while the medical staff is entirely British.

        On the day of visit there were 76 British patients (about 25% the total number of the patients) the others being French, Polish, Russian and Serbian prisoners of war.

        New barracks have been erected, 2 of them are at the disposal of the British prisoners of war. One of them contains the quarters of the British doctors which is a large room well furnished and lighted. They can have hot baths every day. Next door is the dressing room where sick parade is held and adjacent to it is a place for smaller operations.

        Due to the increasing number of surgical cases an operating theatre will be installed in the near future.

        The other barrack contains the sick wards with the capacity of 8-12 men, lying in single iron beds provided with one sheet and 3 blankets. The barrack is divided up in different departments for surgery, medicine, isolation and convalescents.

        In the surgical department the patients are mostly suffering from abscesses, numerous boils, fractures, hernias, varicosis, hemorrhoids.

        The main affections of the medical department are skin-diseases, hearts, chests, abdominal troubles and gastrics. 7 cases of stomach and duodenal ulcers were sent back to Lamsdorf for examination by the Mixed Medical Commission for repatriation. 4 patients are isolated with suspected diphtheria, dysenteria and flues. One case of probated Tbc will be transferred to Koenigswartha.

        A fairly good X-ray station is at disposal, which means a great help for diagnosis. A well equipped laboratory has been installed, a medicine student being in charge of it. All the usual investigations can be done there.

        Food is sufficient and decently prepared by German women, assisted by a British orderly who cooks the special diets.

        A new kitchen barrack is in course of building and will be taken in use as soon as the necessary installations are made.

        Fuel for cooking and heating is sufficient.

        The British Senior Medical Officer stated that the cooperation with the new German Commander is very good.

        The physicians are worried about an intended reduction of the British sanitary personnel. This was discussed with the Stabsarzt who promised to reexamine this question.

        Dental treatment is given at the German hospital.

        The representatives are very glad to state that the clinical standard of this Lazaret is high and that the general impression is a very good one.

Gabriel Naville.

Dr. Kurt Schaeffeler.